Careca remembers moments with Maradona and says: “I wish my grandson would call Diego” | campinas and region

– The name that would be Antônio was already defined. And he became Antônio, but I wanted Diego Antônio to be to pay homage to him, which would be great, so as a grandfather I lost, it was not the majority.

The former player still tried to argue, but there was no way. Little did he know that his grandson would pull Careca’s “brother” in other very striking characteristics: he was born left-handed, right-handed with the ball.

– We had some pictures, which I sent to your brother. And then we talked and he said, “This is not your grandson, this is my grandson.”

+ Maradona’s visit to Careca in Campinas had an exclusive car chase and an interview on the roadside. Know the history!

This was just one of the remarkable moments of the friendship that began to form long before the players formed a team in Napoli, beginning in 1987. The first meeting, in fact, was in an event house at a ceremony of the FIFA after the World Cup. World from the previous year.

– Then it was a moment when we didn’t know what to say. It is logical that we greet each other. Then we started drinking water, beer, wine. Then we begin to tilt the chair to one side, to tilt the chair to the other. Then there was the award. And there we begin.

Careca even remembers how that conversation started.

– The first question was if I would like to play in Italian football, in Naples. I told him I was following him, I congratulated him for his achievement, all that, for everything he did and for everything that transformed the city, the passion of the fan. And I said “maybe one day”.

The “day” was immediate. The following year, Careca was involved in a negotiation with Torino, but ended up at Napoli. A change with the support of Don Diego.

– I think it helped a lot. Of course I think when the name came up, sure, he [falou] “running, running”. I think it helped a lot – says Careca.

The association and friendship flourished on Italian soil. But with very Latin American refinements.

– On Monday, I was at home, we had a barbecue. On Thursday, we sometimes made feijoada at home. And he was the first to arrive and he was also the last to leave.

This proximity extended to the families and little by little Maradona and Careca became more and more present in each other’s lives. The Argentine idol arrived in Brazil and mobilized Campinas twice when he was on vacation in the city and participated in events with his ex-partner. In others, it was more discreet.

– Then he had another [vez], also with me, more discreet like this. And another who came and stayed alone for two days, who later had an appointment and had to go to São Paulo. From there he went to Guarujá, which was carnival time. Then he went to Rio and I met him only there – reveals Careca.

Now, with Diego’s early departure, Careca fondly keeps one of the last gifts he received from his friend, an Argentine shirt commemorating the 1986 title with a dedicated hand.

– A true, sincere, admiring, friendship idol. We just needed to do a blood transfusion to even be there even longer. This strong friendship, of brother, of blood in the vein – summarizes Careca.